Favorite Recommedations for teaching Cursive Writing

[Hazelt"nut"]

I was planning to wait until second grade but now I am thinking that I might like to start cursive the second half of first or perhaps the summer after first when its all we have to do. Any suggestions for your favorite curriculums.

Thank you,
Sheryl in GA

[Stacia]

Handwriting Without Tears (HWT) worked so well for us!

I started out using Zaner-Bloser (I love the style/look of Z-B), but it just didn't work for my dd. She could do the Z-B workbook, but never applied cursive to her other writing ever. After switching to HWT, she quickly started choosing to write in cursive for other work & for fun (workbooks, writing notes, etc...).

[susie in tx]

I liked using Cursive First, though I wish there was a font that was similar. My 3rd started with Cursive First and then I let her use the Abeka workbooks. They are very similar.

My 2nd was older when we started cursive and she went from the Cursive First book to copywork.

My oldest used HWT. I still hate how she makes some of her letters, though she did add a slant, at my recommendation.

[Punkinelly]

continued on with that into cursive. It is amazing how neat just about anyone
's handwriting is when using that program.

I have neatened up my own writing by adopting some of it. :)

Mary

[Ann in IA]

Even though HWT is not as "pretty" as some of the other styles, it really gives good instructions. My son had this strange fear of cursive and really resisted trying it, but he actually likes the HWT cursive book.

[Lisa in the UP of MI]

We plan to use Cursive First when dd is ready for handwriting.

[Sandi_NC]

We're using Cheerful Cursive and it's working really well for my writing-phonic 10 y/o ds.

[Plaid Dad]

My dd (age 6) just finished HWT and loved it. I agree that it's not the most beautiful cursive style, but it made for a very easy transition for dd. I figure she will develop her own style anyway; this just gives her a foundation to build on.

[karensk]

That was his introduction into cursive; the detailed instructions were very helpful to him, too. Once he learned it, he wanted to switch to a more slanted style, so the following year he chose a workbook that taught the traditional cursive (looks like zaner-bloser). It's worked out well.

Dd8 is learning cursive with Bob Jones' Handwriting 3 (http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=19661&netp_id=120269&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=details). She seemed fine with less explanation/instruction, so I chose this for its font...a nice blend of modern and slanted-style.

[Suzanne in ABQ]

HWT worked well for us, too. Both my kids learned cursive using HWT, then switched to a more traditional, slanted style (Reason for Handwriting). I would highly recommend this program.

[5knights3maidens]

I didn't start Tom until this year (4th grade). He really likes HWOT. No, it's not "pretty", but he can now do cursive. I think everyone will adjust their writing as time goes on. I write a zillion different ways! :)
HTH!

[Pensguys]

I used Cursive First with my older son and he has an nice cursive. I liked it because they all start at the bottom which was easy for him to remember. Evan-Moore has cursive practice that is just like CF.

My little guy will start out with HWT Cursive in the Fall. We've done the printing books (he has dysgraphia) and his OT said she thinks HWT will be good for him. If it doesn't click with him, then I plan on trying Cursive First since all letters start at the bottom.

[Brindee]

I used a Reason for Handwriting with my boys. They did well, and I liked the set-up.

I write in a calligraphy-type style, and dd asked if we could find handwriting like that for her. We ended up with Getty-Dubay Italic, and she loves it! Her handwriting is beautiful!

[Hazelt"nut"]

Thank you so much for chiming in with what has worked with you. I tend not to be curriculum shy but with cursive I find that I am. Now I find myself even more confused than before. Perhaps I fear this because my handwriting is so poor. I never had good handwriting and now with cyst in both wrists it is even worse because my hands wear out. I will continue to think about this ...hmmmm. What to do?

Sheryl in GA

[tsuche]

I have used A Reason for Handwriting for 16 yrs. and love it. I have a 12 yr old boy that has bad cursive and a friend gave me Cursive First so I was going to have him do that.
Have a Blessed Day,
Terry

[pianoplayer]

I really liked Classically Cursive from Veritas Press.

[coffeefreak]

We fought over handwriting for two years. I finally decided it wasn't worth it and she wasn't going to have the beautiful handwriting I wanted. We've had no handwriting for a year an a half. She decided she wanted to learn cursive and I went with HWOT. I wish I had known about it when we started school. My goal is to give her the foundation. Get her writing, and then go from there. If she wants to make it "Beautiful," she will! If she wants to do a study on it, we'll do it when she asks.

[Brindee]

Boys tend to like it short and sweet, that's why the boys liked A Reason for Writing for handwriting. Each day, not long, but enough to help them learn it well!

My dd liked the more flowery style, as I said earlier, so maybe it depends on whether it's boys or girls, to a certain extent. Maybe not, just ANOTHER thing to consider! ;)

[Virginia Heather]

I'll put in a plug for Zaner-Bloser... I wanted a traditional-style script for my boys and this program fits the bill beautifully. My 3rd grade ds did extremely well with it; my soon-to-be second grader will start next fall.

[Novafan]

I am using Cursive Connections with my 5 and 7 year olds and we are very happy with it.